Effexor XR for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• Mikey
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2020

"Have taken Prozac, Zoloft, bupropion XR on and off over the years. Nothing has snapped me out of a major depression episode quicker than this Effexor. Already take 80mg Strattera for ADD. Venlafaxine kicked in almost immediately and has been tremendously helpful. I have read all the horror stories about going off of it but I was desperate for relief and this really did the trick. I don't want to be on it forever though."

• abdul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2021

"I read a lot before taking this medicine because I heard about its horrible side effects and withdrawal symptoms, but finally, I decided to take it as I believe all depression medications have side effects and withdrawal symptoms, and for sure it won't be worse than depression. And if it's approved by the FDA and allowed in most countries, then for sure it has also positive effects more than negative ones. After I took it, I felt it change the depression after the first dose! Now, after 3 months of it, it's the best medication I've tried so far. But please know it has different effects from person to person. For me, the side effects were some nausea and night sweating, and that was only for one day. After that, no side effects happened. So finally, I tell you don't be afraid to take it - it is a safe and strong antidepressant."

• Blake...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2015

"I have not been able to stay awake for more than a few hours at a time and so depressed that I couldn't go out in public. But since I have been taking Effexor, I am 100% better. I am a new person. I want to get out and do things, and I have a sense of well-being. I love this feeling!! It's like a new me. I am better than ever."

• Prodi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 19, 2019

"31/m. I have been on Effexor XR generics for 5 years after nearly committing suicide at the age of 26. It has completely gotten rid of my suicidal ideation as well as tremendously reducing my depression and anxiety. Without it, I'm quite certain that I would not be alive today. After trying to get off of it a couple of times and having those bad feelings come back, I have become resigned to the fact that I will likely be on this drug for life, but am okay with that to be honest. I don't really have any side effects from the drug, at least not that I am aware of. The reason I give it 8 stars is because if you ever DO want to get off of it, the withdrawal symptoms are absolutely horrendous."

• Fognu...
• November 6, 2016

"Effexor XR saved my life! I had severe clinical depression for one year, and my doctor tried 8 different antidepressants on me, all to no avail. I sought the help of a psychopharmacologist in Palo Alto, CA. He met with me for 90 minutes, did an evaluation, and prescribed Effexor XR for me. He stairstepped me up to 300 mg/day within 12 days, and within 2 weeks I felt like my old self again. It felt miraculous. I may be on it for the rest of my life, but I don't mind one bit. I am enjoying life again!"

• Ginnie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

"My neurologist prescribed me Effexor XR for nerve pain. I had a head injury from a car accident and have been suffering from facial nerve pain, neck injury, and depression. This drug has improved my quality of life. I highly recommend it for nerve pain. I started out taking 37.5mg for a month. Then, 75mg. The 75mg dose works for me. It took 6 weeks for me to feel the benefits."

• Cotinga
• October 12, 2019

"I will be 60 this year. My first experience with treating my anxiety and depression started around 1968 with a doctor convincing my adoptive mom to put me on Ritalin. In 2004, my doctor placed me on Effexor XR. Within a week, I felt relaxed and human. About a year ago, I had a really bad breakdown. My current doctor suggested I up the Effexor dosage to 150mg per day. It worked, except that I have lost my drive and ambition. I know I have things to do, they just do not seem to interest me enough. I get the things done I have to, then I just kinda slack down. Effexor saved my sanity, so to speak, but I have lost the extreme drive that propelled me in my younger days, and I wish for that back! I just wonder if after 15 years on Effexor, there is something that betters it in the 'drive' and emotion department. Again, wonder drug. Sign me, Depressed from birth."

• Thank...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2019

"I'm a 53-year-old female and still in perimenopause. Effexor XR 150mg has been a life-changer for me! I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and also bipolar by different psychiatrists. I was depressed, very irritable/angry, and moody. I couldn't function or get out of bed, had no desire to do anything but sleep! Currently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). After being on many other antidepressants (Paxil, Cymbalta, Bupropion, Abilify, Seroquel - very sedating) and some bipolar meds (Lamictal, Risperdal, Depakote - which made my fine thin hair fall out) that didn't help over a 10-year period, I was really losing hope and tired of feeling sad, horrible, and constantly worried. I felt this was no way to live. After 8 months on Venlafaxine 150 mg XR, I feel so much better and much less irritable and anxious."

• Aks
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2019

"This stuff is awful. Feels like MDMA but with only the bad effects. Jaw clenching, can't focus, nausea, shaking. I was literally scared. I called the advice nurse after trying to make myself throw it up because I felt so terrible. Stay away from this drug."

• Loveu...
• February 9, 2017

"Effexor changed my life. I was suffering from bad depression for over two years due to something that happened in my life. I couldn't get the thoughts out of my mind. So daily, I would feel sad and depressed. I started with Wellbutrin, which I liked for depression and energy, but it made my anxiety, which I also have, worse. Anyways, back to Effexor. The first 2 weeks taking Effexor were kinda horrible. I felt weird, tired, and I was thinking of stopping this medication. But I stuck with it. I have to say I feel normal again, and my depression is gone. Even if I think of my past, I don't get sad anymore. So thank you Effexor."

• Grate...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 19, 2023

"I was taking 37.5 mg Effexor for several years. My depression was pretty much non-existent during that time. Last spring, I got cocky and had my doctor wean me off the drug over a two-month period. For six months, I felt great… until late fall arrived. I suffered with continuous anxiety for the next two months. I denied the heaviness in my chest and the constant worrying that overloaded my brain until I said enough was enough. If this situation was prolonged, I would be in a full-blown depression. I called my doctor, who put me back on 37.5 mg Effexor. I had a few side effects with nausea and headaches, but after four days, I started to feel the anxiety lift. By the fourth week, I was back to my usual happy self. I will never stop taking Effexor again. Lesson learned. My body does not produce enough serotonin. Despite my focus on exercising and other interventions to be mentally healthy, I need Effexor to keep my depression and anxiety away."

• Golf2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2017

"I'm a middle-aged professional that's dealt with depression and anxiety since my teen years. I've tried many different types of medications that target anxiety and depression, albeit with mixed results. My depression, stress, and anxiety levels had gotten worse within the last year (haven't been on any medications for over 10 years), so I went to see my doctor. I've been taking Effexor for about a month now and it's, by far, given me the most relief over any previous med. Stress levels have gone way down as I no longer tend to ruminate on things out of my control. It's much easier to drop the negative thinking and move on to something else. Anxiety and depression have also been greatly reduced. No major side effects for me (at 37.5)"

• Finch
• September 16, 2019

"Effexor almost ruined my life. When I was 13 and didn't fit in with my peers, my doctor decided that I must need antidepressants. This medication was useless in treating my depression as I was not actually clinically depressed. I was just a teenager going through teenage crap. I tried to go off the medications but would get sick with seizures when I tried. One day at age 26, I decided enough was enough and went off cold turkey. It was rough. I could not go to work, was getting seizures daily, and living with constant nausea. But after 3 months, I started to get better. The seizures became fewer and farther between, and the nausea stopped. Fast forward 10 years and I'm in a good career, am in great physical shape, have a stable mood, good self-esteem, an excellent credit score, and live the life I used to dream of living. Getting off Effexor was the best thing I have ever done for myself. It cleared my mind and allowed me to find myself."

• hhhhh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2020

"Started taking Effexor in the luteal phase of my period (approx. 10 days before menstruation) for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and it has CHANGED MY LIFE. I feel the best I've felt. I cannot even access the dark and awful thoughts/insecurities/self-loathing that used to be a constant during this period. The only side effects I've felt were a slight bit of nausea/lightheadedness in the first few days and difficulty sleeping (I keep waking up at 6 a.m., but feel pretty refreshed, so it's okay). Will report back on how it feels to go off them at the end of this phase."

• Vin
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2016

"Effexor XR really has been working wonders on my life. It has relieved me of a lot of my depression while still giving me my energy, unlike SSRIs. If weight gain is a problem for you and you have depression, definitely try an SNRI first. As you may or may not know, Wellbutrin is another antidepressant that is supposed to encourage weight loss while relieving depression. It affects norepinephrine and dopamine. I tried Wellbutrin a while ago, and failed miserably on it due to the anxiety it brought on. Therefore, I was hesitant at first because I heard that Effexor XR affects norepinephrine as well. However, it has been completely the opposite. I have gone from constantly laying in bed all day long to wanting to get up and exercise."

• Bob
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2019

"I've been weaning off of Venlafaxine for the last month and a half. It's my least favorite medication of all time. Every time I brought this up with my psychiatrist, she said, 'What you need is more.' Then she would raise the dosage. I hate the stuff. July 1, 2019, was my first day of being Venlafaxine-free. In the last 6 days, I've gone through the 'feeling weird' and 'bad dreams' stages of withdrawal. They call it 'discontinuation syndrome,' but it's most certainly withdrawal... extreme withdrawal. Now I'm experiencing the 'involuntary weeping' and 'jitters' stages. I'm most likely going to stay in the bedroom with the dogs today."

• RedWax
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2021

"This medication makes me feel... odd. Been on it for a little over 4 weeks now for bipolar. Get random twitches throughout my body, especially when I'm trying to fall asleep. This never happened before Effexor. Very blunted emotions, which is not something I had with Lexapro or Prozac. I find myself often watching/reading about stirring events just to feel SOMETHING, even if it is negative. Feel extremely lazy (I thought this drug was supposed to help with motivation??) and just want to sleep all day, which is very much NOT like me at all. Has anyone else experienced this with Effexor? My doc wants me to give it another couple of weeks, but if I still feel like this by then I am going to request to be put back on Prozac."

• happy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2015

"I've dealt with depression/anxiety all of my life, or at least as early as I hit puberty. I tried Zoloft and Wellbutrin to their max doses, and neither were effective at all. After dealing with unbearable constant depression, I stopped seeing my psychiatrist and went to a family physician who prescribed me Effexor. It's been maybe 4 months on Effexor XR 75 mg/day, and I've done a 180-degree turn around. I feel so content, so confident, rarely feel sad or bothered by little things. I started dating and met someone, and my friendships with people are stronger than ever. I finally feel like the person I should be, and more importantly, I feel like an optimist. The only bad thing is that withdrawal is bad, and it can make you nauseous. Otherwise, 10/10!"

• Anonymous
• July 12, 2008

"Life changing. I was prescribed Effexor XR for depression and anxiety with attacks. I suffered for years until I hit rock bottom and saw a doctor. This was the first medication I was prescribed and after 2 weeks, I saw an improvement, and after a month, I was a completely different person. I actually, for once, feel normal, and I am never sad and cry for no reason. I have energy, I don't feel crappy. I am hardly ever in a bad mood, and the best part is I don't feel like I am taking anything. Best decision of my life."

• indig...
• March 29, 2019

"It took the drug company 11 years to get this approved. This drug should not be allowed on the market. I have been on SSRIs for 15 years and was switched to this pill, which is the worst. I was constantly dizzy on this, also anxious and brain-zapped. If you take this medication an hour late, you are sick. It has a very short half-life. Going off of it, if you can, is like one bad trip. I had breathing issues, my whole body ached so painfully, vertigo, so dizzy, vomiting, and I tapered off slowly. It will take you 6 months to a year to taper off and get ready for the issues you will continue to have. Don't take it. When I read the reviews, I thought it would be different for me because of the lies from my doctor. These reviews aren't lying, or they haven't tried going off. The XR is the only one that is approved??? The other Effexor is banned now. Please go on something else. Not an SNRI, it will bring you to your knees to pray you never took it."

• Allie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

"I thought I would share my experience with Effexor XR. I have been on an antidepressant since 2000. I started with Paxil, then Citalopram, and finally Cymbalta. The Cymbalta stopped working, and I was prescribed Effexor XR and am in the middle of my second week. When I first started taking it, after a couple of days I was feeling very odd, extremely fatigued, and very sleepy, but went with it. I researched this medication and read many reviews. I’m so grateful for the reviews people have posted. I decided to stick it out, at least for a month. I am so happy I did! After sleeping every spare moment the first week, it appears that side effect has alleviated. I’m feeling pretty good and am looking forward to my days now. The website says if you have an improvement in the first week or two, that it’s a good sign the medication is working."

• Emoti...
• October 27, 2013

"At 56 years old and being raised to 'put on a happy face', I can finally say I feel happy and emotionally alive. Depression had consumed me for 35+ years. I was a hollow shell. Talk therapy did nothing. Once the Dr. discovered the brain had damage to the neurotransmitter/receptors and started me on slowly increasing doses of Effexor XR, the depression cleared. I now take 150mg daily. There have been no negative side effects. It's been 3 years now. People who know me well are extremely supportive; those who don't know my 'history' would be surprised to learn that I take an antidepressant. Only rated as a 9 because long term/lifelong use is still unknown."

• Wan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 2, 2019

"Effexor ruined my life. After 3 years, I am in complete agony. Pain all over, and it stopped working. I tried to switch to another drug, and the withdrawals are much worse than heroin. My body is crunching all over. Haven't slept in months. Can't use my brain. Stay away from this!!! I can't work, I am on my own and will be homeless soon! The withdrawals are unbearable! Doctors' tapering is wrong!"

• Edge
• July 1, 2019

"I thank God for this drug. I've been on it for 18 months now. I'm a 55-year-old woman and have suffered on and off with depression for most of my life. A couple of years ago, I started suffering from diurnal mood variation, also known as morning depression. I'd wake up suicidal but would recover during the day. It was an awful, relentless 24-hour cycle I was stuck in. My doctor prescribed several drugs that made me feel worse, more suicidal, and on the verge of being hospitalized again. Then he prescribed Effexor XR. I felt lethargic and spaced out for 5 days, then fell asleep for almost 48 hours! After that time, I woke up, shook myself off, and felt amazing! I'm so well that I'm happy to stay on this drug for the rest of my life. My side effects have been dry mouth (it went away after a couple of months), a very itchy scalp, weight gain, and vivid dreams. Still, I'm happy to put up with all of that to simply not suffer from depression again."

• Claudia
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2022

"I had several severe depressions in my life — between the ages of 20 until 50 — and only took a drug once at age 24, and it didn't help. At 50 years old, I found a good psychiatrist who recommended Effexor XR. I didn't want to take medication, but he said he couldn't treat me without it. It took about a month for me to respond, but at about the 4-week point, my depression miraculously lifted. I had no bad side effects, although I remember being sleepy at work, so my psychiatrist told me to take it before I went to sleep instead of in the morning. I have been on it for 20 years and, for me, it was a lifesaver."